Temu Smartphones Found With Malware in Belgium
Three brand-new smartphones bought through Temu were found to contain dangerous malware in Belgium before they had even been used, according to an investigation by Belgian cybersecurity company Nviso.
The phones were tested in Belgium after Nviso had already discovered malware on another new smartphone purchased through Temu in June.
The first two phones tested in the latest investigation were clean. But the third phone contained malware, so Nviso bought two more phones from the same seller.
All three additional phones were infected with the same malware.
Malware Hidden Deep Inside the Phones
According to Nviso security expert Jeroen Beckers, the malware is a new variant from the Triada family and is built into the phone’s operating system.
This makes the software particularly dangerous because it can give attackers deep control over the device.
The malware can also steal login information from social media accounts. When users log in to services such as WhatsApp, Facebook or Instagram, their credentials can potentially be sent to attackers.
Those accounts could then be used for scams or to artificially increase the popularity of certain posts and advertisements.
The phones tested were very cheap smartphones costing around 80 euro. The seller on Temu was listed as BTMGR, operated by Hong Kong-based Fengyu Global Trade Company Limited.
Seller and Temu Launch Investigation
Fengyu Global Trade Company Limited denied that the malware had been installed on the phones before they were sold.
The company said new smartphones normally do not contain pre-installed malware or fraudulent software. However, the seller said it would investigate the issue and contact the manufacturer.
Nviso said it could confirm that the phones arrived already infected, but it could not determine exactly where the malware was installed.
The phones could have been supplied to the seller by another company before being resold.
Temu said the product had already been removed from its platform on August 30 as part of its ongoing checks. The company also said it had contacted the seller and removed similar products as a precaution while they are being reviewed.
Belgian Minister Warns Consumers
Belgian Consumer Protection Minister Rob Beenders advised people to be careful when buying smartphones from international websites where products may not be checked as closely.
He said consumers are better protected when they buy products in Belgium or elsewhere in Europe from suppliers where proper checks have been carried out.
Beenders also said Belgium is carrying out checks on packages entering the country, but the large number of packages makes this difficult.
Consumers who suspect that a device may contain malware can report it through Belgium’s ConsumerConnect service.
How to Avoid Malware on Smartphones
Cybersecurity experts recommend buying smartphones from authorized sellers and certified manufacturers.
Consumers should also be careful when a deal seems unusually cheap. A very low price can sometimes be a warning sign.
If a phone starts showing unusual errors or other suspicious behavior, users should stop using it and consider having it checked.
Security software can sometimes detect malware, although Triada may be difficult to identify because it can be built directly into the operating system.
